Kirkland’s Bordeaux Superieur is always an interesting bottle. Some people love it, some don’t, and our opinion seems to sway with every vintage.
This new 2019 vintage changes things up a bit. First, the price actually decreased by $1, down to $6.99. It has always been $7.99, so a welcome change there.
The blend changed as well with this new vintage showing up as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. This is a bit more Merlot compared to prior vintages that were 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot.
One thing that stayed consistent is the producer, Chateau Petit-Freylon, who is pictured and labeled in the fine print on the front of the label.
Before we get into the wine, let’s take a quick look at our historical ratings:
2015: 87 points
2016: 87 points
2018: 85 points
Kind of a bummer we missed the 2017 vintage as I’m curious how that would have shown. The good news is that we felt this new 2019 vintage is the best of the run.
The wine pours a medium to deep ruby in the glass, perhaps a little darker than we noted in the 2018 tasting notes; dark fruit and earth on the nose; medium to medium plus body, acidic and dry on the palate. Bone dry and a little bitter in the finish. Maybe a little tight still but a nice wine, and one that runs alongside our tastes.
We’re going to bump this rating up to 88 points on this vintage. This one might largely come down to personal preference. If this wine sounds up your alley, I’d recommend buying one to try it, and then heading back for more. Just to be sure. But we’re fans of this vintage and the price is hard to beat.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 88 Points
Costco Item Number: 1184548
Alcohol: 14%
Lance
Sunday 1st of May 2022
We do not care for this one- the aroma is off putting and the taste is barely an improvement Even after sitting for 30+ minutes this wine does not lose the wet basement mustiness. No oaky notes, a muddled fruit blend - no distinct cherry notes or any other fruit highlight notes to call out - just indistinct fruit juice notes. Bought the bottles from Costco and stored in our wine fridge. Very excited to try the Kirkland 2019 Bordeaux Supérieur but this was a disappointing wine no matter what the price was. We bought several bottles and will try again in a year. If it improves with time I will repost.
debbie cacho
Saturday 19th of February 2022
I really enjoy your column and have made many purchases because of it. I would be very grateful if you would explain the rating system in general. I realize an score of 88 on a $25 bottle does not equate to a score of 88 on a $6.99 bottle. How does it work?
Thank you!
Editor
Sunday 20th of February 2022
Hi Debbie. Thank you for the great question. We feel price should be taken out of the equation. We try to review not looking at the price and hopefully forgetting. That way the wine can stand on its own for a rating based on taste and quality only. It’s also important to compare scores to your own tastes to see if it aligns with the reviewer. I love Bordeaux so can really getting into them when I’m tasting and writing a review. But I can totally understand how someone wouldn’t like Bordeaux at all. More than anything I’d take point ratings with a grain of salt and focus on the tasting notes and following people you generally agree with.
Van
Thursday 17th of February 2022
Yep the price caught my eye. Next to 2 other 6.99 France bottled ones Côtes du Rhône and Cone Taillasson Sabourin. It does taste a tad bitter but then pairs well with Costco eggroll with plum sauce. I’m happy. Definitely beat Firstleaf or Vinesse price.
Andrew Gould
Thursday 17th of February 2022
Price, quality, buy. I am always amazed by the value of wines at Costco.
Chris
Wednesday 16th of February 2022
Love the reviews. Will you be tasting the ‘17 Barolo soon?
Editor
Wednesday 16th of February 2022
Yes for sure. On the lookout for it to pop up around here.